It's gets a reaction from the commissioner, who is at the United Center with Rick and no one happier to hear that news.

And Big 10 Commissioner Jim Delany, Jim, the eight teams marking a Big 10 record the most league has ever sent toe a single tournament.

How much is that?

Simply a reflection of the quality of play that we saw over the course of the regular season.

I think from November all the way through March, top to bottom.

There may be better teams in some conferences, but I think the quality depth in the Big 10 show started showing itself in November than into December 20 game schedule.

And, uh, I know that everyone wants take a deep breath.

Now be maybe get a couple of good night's rest before moving on to the term.

It has been a great year and the two highest seeds, both on the two line.

The teams that we saw play on this floor tonight, Michigan and Michigan State.

What a show they put on this championship game got great championship game.

There was nothing easy about this game.

Michigan gave their best effort.

They had opportunities, Michigan State showed.

Will.

I guess the Spartan well is probably the best way to say it.

And I thought, you know, Tom's job with the injuries that they had through the course of the year, and bringing players and seamlessly to fill those voids and step up was truly impressive.

The Big 10 tournament has a number of wonderful host cities, but for you, for those of us here at BT and this is something of a home game, and once again Chicago rolled out the red carpet.

Yeah, well, Chicago is our home, I think, uh, Mayor Emanuel today because they've been just great, whether it's the Bt and run in the summertime or whether it's working with us on the United Center through the Sports Commission.

First right?

It's a great opportunity for our players to play at the United Center.

And with 300,000 Big 10 alums in Chicago, BTM located Air Big 10 Conference located here.

It's really special for you.

You will be the commissioner for one more tournament, but this will be your last one here in Chicago that lead to any reflection for you.

Well, In a way it did.

We had a lot of friends and partners that we saw over the weekend, and I was great to see them.

And and I think last year 10 of our 13 games were single digit.

I think maybe this weekend it was nine.

But we had a couple of overtime games, just some tremendous competition, really proud of our coaches and our players for bringing it.

And I know Big 10 basketball fans throughout the country have to be proud of the kinds of teams kinds of players or coaches put on the floor.

Tournament has to Indianapolis next year before returning to Chicago back to Indy.

And then we wonder what conversations has the league had about moving forward after those dates?

Yeah, you know, we'll have probably the next 30 to 60 days.

Ah, reveal on our next six years Bull partners.

And we're starting now to look at a slate off sites for 22 23 beyond.

So I hope by this fall will have something to announce in that area.

But you know, the great majority of our events will be in the Midwest because that's where the majority of our fans are, but we also have, Ah, great fan base out East.

And I think we showed that whether in New York or Chicago or Indianapolis or even D C, we can attract great crowds, have great competition and really build out the conferences.

Footprint in the 21st century has become an annual tradition.

Getting the catch up with you after the tournament, each and every year as always, Jim, we truly enjoyed it.

Thanks for the time.

And we already look forward to next year in Indy.

Thanks, Rick.